Improved universal chuck



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

MANOAH ALDEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVED UNIVERSAL CHUCK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,457, dated August 11, 1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MANOAH ALDEN, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Universal Chucks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of certain improvements in universal chucks, the said improvements, which are fully described hereinafter, having been made with theview of attaining general simplicity as regards the construction of the chuck.

My invention has, further, for its aim the protection of the operating parts from dust and dirt, and the avoidance of all inconvenient projections on the outside of the chuck.

In order to enable others skilled in this class of mechanism to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a partof this specification, Figure l is a rear view of my improved chuck with the detachable plate removed, so as to exhibit the interior. Fig. 2 is a section' on the line l 2, Fig. l; Figs. 3 and 4, views of detached parts of the chuck.

Similarletters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is the outer casing of the chuck, and into this casing a circular plate, G,is fitted snugly, but so as to turn freely, the plate being retained in its proper position, central with the axis ot' the chuck, by a central hub, e, which projects from the back plate, B, into the said circular plate, which is secured to the case by screvis e, and which has at its back a hub, b, the latter having an internal screw-thread adapted to the screwed end of the lathe-spindle. In'the front face of the casing A are the usual radial slots, in each of which' slides one of the jaws ce, as in an ordinary chuck. A portion of the edge e of the case, directly opposite the edge ofthe plate C, is cut away for the admission of a worm-spindle, D, the said spindle bearing at one end in a suitable socket, the opposite end projecting into an opening in the side of the case, the end of the spindle having a square head and being provided with a collar, i, which, bearing in a recess in the case, prevents any longitudinal' movement of the said spindle. A portion of the plate C is cut away to the line w for a purpose described hereinafter, and on the edge of the plate are formed spiral teeth adapted to the screwthread on the spindle D. Transversely through the plate C are cut three curved slots, G G G", each of the said slots commencing at a point, z, a short distance from the center of the plate and gradually radiating therefrom in a regular curve to the point z. -In each of the jaws a is an orice in which ts the lower half of a pin, d, the upper half of the latter projecting into one of the slots G. The lower half of each pin d is cylindrical and greater in diameter than the width of the slots G, the upper half of the pin being iiattcned on two sides so as to fit into the curved slots of the plate G. Each slot G is enlarged near its inner end to such an extent that the cylindrical end of the pins d can pass through the slot at the enlarged point only. Supposing all the detachable parts to have been removed from the case, and that it is desired to replace them, the jaws a are first adjusted to the grooves and brought to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1. The Worm-spindle D is then introduced from the interior of the case into its place, and the plate G brought to such a position that the side m shall be parallel withv the axis of the said worm-spindle. The plate C is then deposited in its proper position within the case. rIhe key H being placed upon the head of the screw-spindle, the latter is caused to revolve so as to turn the plate C in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, until the enlarged parts of the slot G coincide with the openings in the jaws a, into which openings the pins d are then deposited. The rear plate, B, is then secured to the case, when the chuck is ready for attachment to the spindle of a lathe. When it is desired to expand the jaws, the key H is turned so as to cause the plate C to revolve in the direction of its arrow, the result of this revolution being to carry Vthe pins with the jaws outward in the direction of the radial lines y, Fig. 1. When the jaws are sutliciently -the pins begin to move outward they pass from the enlarged part of the slots G, and that the edges of these slots are brought over the shoulders formed by the enlargement of the pins, so that the latter are prevented from rising from their proper positions.

It Will be evident that a chuck constructed in the manner described is compact, simple, and under no circumstances liable to get out of order, that by means of the screw D a power sufficient can be applied to contract the jaws with all the force necessary to retain firmly any description of Work which it may be desirable for them to hold. lt will also be seen that no heads or projections are required upon the exterior of the chuck, and that all the operating parts oi' the apparatus are completely inclosed and protected from the dust.

y By making the pins d of the peculiar shape described they are not only prevented from becoming displaced, but the flat surface presented to the sides of the slots prevent the latter from being irregularly worn by abrasion.

Another advantage of my improvement is this, that when the spiral teeth of the plate G become Worn at one point the plate can be so turned that the teeth not worn can be acted on by the screwspindle.

I claim as my invention and desire to se cure by Letters Patentl. The combination of the plate G and its spiral teeth with the screw-spindle D, when both are applied to the case A of the chuck, and arranged to operate the jaws a a a, substantially in the manner described.

2. The combination of thejaWs a, pins d, and plate C, with its curved slots, the Whole being constructed and arranged Within the case substantially as described.

In testimony Whereofl have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. i

MANOAH ALDEN.

Witnesses:

HENRY HoWsoN, JOHN WHITE. 

